International Journal of Health Sciences and Research

www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571

Original Research Article

A Study To Assess The Effectiveness Of Structured Teaching Programme On

Knowledge And Attitude Regarding Prevention Of Oral Cancer Among
Drivers In Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Group Of Institution At Perambalur
Shyamala S

Assistant Professor, Medical & Surgical Nursing, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan College of Nursing, Perambalur, India.

Received: 17/07//2014 Revised: 06/08/2014 Accepted: 18/08/2014

ABSTRACT

Cancer is a group of more than 200 disease characterized by uncontrolled and unregulated growth of
cells. Globally cancers account for 5.1% of total disease Burden and 12.5% of all deaths. In India Oral
cancer tops in males especially drivers chewing the Betel and smoking cigarettes‟ throughout the Journey
and while waiting for their next turn have been identified as main reasons for this vulnerability.
Their lifestyle leads to risk for Oral cancer, as over 50% of them smoked daily. 31.1 % consumed alcohol
weekly or daily, 59.2% chewed Betel occasionally and 22.3% daily. Around 60% of Bus drivers and
conductors are at list of getting oral cancer.
Hence the incidence of Oral cancer is increasing. It is mainly due to less awareness and knowledge
regarding prevention and treatment of early detection of oral cancer among the drivers.
The conceptual frame work selected for the study was based on “General system Theory” An evaluator
approach was adopted for the study. The research design used is “Quasi experimental design” (One group
pre test and post test design). The study was conducted among drivers residing at Dhanalakshmi
Srinivasan Group of Institutions, Perambalur. The Population of the study was 50 drivers and Structured
Questionnaire schedule was used to collect data. Non probability, convenience sampling technique was
used. The data was planned to analyze on the basis of objectives and hypothesis of the study. Descriptive
and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The research was concluded with improved
knowledge and attitude regarding prevention of oral cancer among drivers of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan
Group of Institutions.

Key words:- Oral cancer, tobacco, betel chewing

INTRODUCTION have revealed that most of the drivers,

Oral cancer/mouth cancer, a subtype rickshaw, pullers, vendors, construction
of head and neck cancer, is any cancerous workers will be chewing some form of
tissue growth located in the oral cavity. [1] tobacco and most of them are unwilling to
Oral cancer may occur on the lips or give up the habits. [2]
anywhere within the mouth (e.g. tongue, A survey in 2012 conducted by the
floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, hard National cancer control programme in Sri
palate, soft palate). The incidence is nearly Lanka has revealed that 80% of Bus drivers
11% in males and 5% in females. Surveys and conductors are vulnerable to oral cancer.
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Vol.4; Issue: 9; September 2014
Factors that influence the development of among drivers of Dhanalakshmi
oral cancer include tobacco use (gutka, Srinivasan Group Of Institutions.
tobacco, chewing, cigar, cigarette, pipe  To determine the effectiveness of
snuff) excessive alcohol intake and poor structured teaching programme on
dental care. [2] knowledge and attitude regarding
Individuals who smoke have 7-10 prevention of oral cancer among
times higher risk of developing oral cancer drivers of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan
than non smokers. India is the second largest Group of Institutions.
consumer of tobacco in the world. The  To correlation between pre test and
health ministry spokes person also post test knowledge and attitude
highlighted the fact that among those with regarding prevention of oral cancer
oral cancer. The highest number of cases has among drivers of Dhanalakshmi
been recorded among Bus drivers and Srinivasan Group Of Institutions
conductors. [2]  To find the association of post test
The reason is that when busses are knowledge and attitude regarding
parked until their turn arrives, the prevention of oral cancer among
conductors and drivers either chew betel or drivers with their selected
smoke. The other factor is that these drivers demographic variables.
and conductors are in the habit of keeping Hypothesis:-
the chewed betel in their mouth for long H1: There will be a significant difference
periods of time. This is very dangerous, and between the pre test and post test knowledge
increases the chances of getting cancer. scores of drivers.
Around 60% of bus drivers and conductors H2: There will be a significant difference
are at risk of getting oral cancer. According between the pre test and post test attitude
to Health ministry statistics around 2-3 scores of drivers.
people die daily due to oral cancer2, one of H3: There will be a significant level of
the main cancers that affect most of the knowledge between the pre test and post test
population is oral cancer. [3] knowledge scores of drivers.
Hence the significant factor of oral H4: There will be a significant level of
cancer is tobacco chewing and their attitude between the pre test and post test
lifestyle practices, it shows that there is a attitude scores of drivers.
need for health education among drivers to H5: There will be a significant association
create and to increase their level of between the post test knowledge scores with
awareness and knowledge regarding their selected demographical variables.
prevention of oral cancer, Such awareness Assumption:-
and knowledge could lead to better The driver may have adequate
understanding and acceptance of the knowledge and most favourable attitude
importance of routine dental examinations about oral cancer.
for the early detection and treatment of oral Structured teaching programme is an
cancer, and thereby reducing the risk of oral effective way to improve the knowledge and
cancer among drivers. attitude of drivers to prevent oral cancer.
Research Design:-
Objectives: Quasi experimental (one group pre
 To assess the existing knowledge test and post test design).
regarding prevention of oral cancer Sampling Technique:-

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 Non probability convenience Section A consist of the
sampling. demographic data of subjects which includes
Sample Size:- 50 samples age, educational status, family income,
Population Of The Study:- incidence of oral cancer in the family
Drivers residing at dhanalakshmi members, sources of information and family
srinivasan groups of institution. history of cancer of oral.
Description Of The Tool:- Section B:-
The instrument used for the study is Section B consists of structured
structured knowledge questionnaire, which questionnaire to assess knowledge on
were designed by the investigator. It consist prevention of oral cancer among drivers.
of 3 parts. Section C:-
Section A:- demographic variables 5 point Likert scale to assess attitude
on prevention of oral cancer among drivers.

RESULT
Major Finding Of The Study:-
Section A: Distribution Of Demographic Variables With Respect To Drivers.
TABLE:-1: Frequency and percentage distribution of demographic variables among drivers.
Drivers
Demographic variables Frequency Percentage
21-30 years 0 0
Age 31-40 years 22 44
41-50 years 11 22
>51 years 17 34
No Formal Education 3 6
Educational status Primary Education 20 40
Secondary Education 18 36
Graduated 9 18
2001-3000Rs 2 4
Family monthly 3001-4000Rs 6 12
income 4001-5000Rs 27 54
>5000Rs 15 30
Previous knowledge Yes 14 28
regarding oral cancer No 36 72
Tobacco 7 14
Personal habit Smoking 26 52
Alcohol 17 34

Section B: Assessment of Existing

Knowledge And Attitude On Prevention Of TABLE 2(b) Frequency and percentage distribution of existing
attitude on prevention of oral cancer among drivers.
Oral Cancer With Respect To Drivers. Drivers
TABLE 2(a) Frequency and percentage distribution of pre test Level of attitude Frequency Percentage %
knowledge on prevention of oral cancer among drivers. Unfavourable attitude 9 18
Drivers Favourable attitude 38 76
Level of knowledge Frequency Percentage % Most Favourable attitude 3 6
Inadequate knowledge 35 70 50 100
Moderate knowledge 15 30
Adequate knowledge 0 0
50 100

Section C:- Determine The Effectiveness Of Structured Teaching Programme On Knowledge

And Attitude Regarding Prevention Of Oral Cancer With Respect To Drivers.

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 Test knowledge attitude Paired „t‟ test
Mean Standard Paired „t‟ test Test Mean Standard
deviation deviation
Pre test 6.12 1.91 T=21.35 Pre test 46.48 12.82 T=15.69
Post test 16.42 1.37 P=1.645 Post test 82.32 57.06 P=1.645
Significant Significant

Section D:- Correlation Between Pretest And Post Test Knowledge And Attitude On Prevention
Of Oral Cancer With Respect To Drivers.
Knowledge Attitude Paired „t‟ test
Test Correlation Test
Mean Standard Mean Standard
deviation deviation
Pre test 6.12 1.91 Pre test 46.48 12.82 R =0.45
R =1.30 Non
Post test 16.42 1.37 Significant Post test 82.32 57.06 significant

Section E:- Association Of Level Of pre test and post test knowledge score
Knowledge And Attitude On Prevention Of regarding prevention of oral cancer among
Oral Cancer Among Driver With Their drivers,5 point Likert scale was used to
Demographic Variables. assess the pre test and post test attitude on
Knowledge Of Drivers= There is a prevention of oral cancer among drivers.
significant association between the The analysis of data is organized and
knowledge and the demographic variables of presented under the following section:-
education. There is no association with other Section A:- demographic variables
demographic variables. Section A consist of the
Attitude Of Drivers= There is significant demographic data of subjects which includes
association between the attitude and the age, educational status, family income,
demographic variables of age, education, incidence of oral cancer in the family
income, previous knowledge of oral cancer, members, sources of information and family
personal habits. There is no association with history of cancer of oral.
other demographic variables. Section B:-
Section B consists of structured
DISCUSSION questionnaire to assess knowledge on
The present study was done to assess prevention of oral cancer among drivers.
the effectiveness of structured teaching Section C:-
programme on knowledge and attitude 5 point Likert scale to assess attitude
regarding prevention of oral cancer among on prevention of oral cancer among drivers
drivers. In order to achieve the objectives of Section D:-
the study, quasi experimental design (one Correlation between pre test and post
group pre test and post test design) was test knowledge and attitude on prevention of
adopted. Non-probability convenient oral cancer with respect to drivers.
sampling technique was used to select the Section E:-
samples. Pre test knowledge and attitude Association of post test level of
was conducted prior to the implementation knowledge and attitude on prevention of oral
of structured teaching programme and post cancer among driver with their demographic
test knowledge and attitude was conducted variables.
after seven days. Effectiveness was assessed The first objective of this study was
by using structured questionnaire method for to assess the existing knowledge regarding

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Vol.4; Issue: 9; September 2014
prevention of oral cancer among drivers of The fourth objective of the study was
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Groups. to find the association of post test
The finding reveals that out of 50 knowledge and attitude scores regarding
samples 35(70%) had inadequate prevention of oral cancer among drivers
knowledge;15 (30%) of them had moderate with their selected demographic variables.
knowledge;0(0%) none of them had Chi square test was computed to
adequate knowledge and 9(18%) of them determine the association between post test
had unfavourable attitude;38(76%)of them knowledge and attitude scores regarding
had favourable attitude;3(6%) of them had prevention of oral cancer among drivers
most favourable attitude. with their selected demographic variables.
The second objective of this study The finding reveals that there is significant
was to determine the effectiveness of association between the knowledge and the
structured teaching programme on demographic variables of education. There
knowledge and attitude regarding prevention is no association with other demographic
of oral cancer among drivers of variables. The finding reveals that there is
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Groups. significant association between the attitude
The finding reveals that out of 50 and the demographic variables of age,
samples with respect to pre test knowledge, education, family monthly income, personal
the mean value was 6.12 with SD 1.91 and habit. There is no association with other
the post test knowledge among drivers, the demographic variables.
mean value was 16.42 with SD 1.37. The The overall mean and standard
paired „t‟ value was 21.35, The results deviation of post test knowledge and attitude
indicated that the post test mean score was score was higher than the pre test mean and
higher than the pre test mean score. The standard deviation scores of knowledge and
difference between pre test and post test attitude of drivers among Dhanalakshmi
mean score statistically significant at Srinivasan Group, which represents
p=1.645 level. The analysis reveals that with significant gain of knowledge and most
respect to attitude among drivers and the pre favourable attitude of drivers regarding
test mean value of 46.48 with SD 12.82 and prevention of oral cancer through the
the post test mean value of 82.32 with SD structured teaching programme. This shows
57.06. . The paired „t‟ value was15.69, The that the structured teaching programme is
results indicated that the post test mean effective.
score was higher than the pre test mean
score. The difference between pre test and CONCLUSION
post test mean score statistically significant The following conclusions were
at p=1.645 level. drawn on the basis of the finding of the
The third objective of the study was study. The finding of the pre test knowledge
to correlation between pre test and post test showed that none of the subjects had
knowledge and attitude regarding prevention adequate knowledge on prevention of oral
of oral cancer among drivers of cancer, the finding of the pre test attitude
Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Groups. showed that most of the drivers have
This represents that there is a mild unfavourable attitude on prevention of oral
correlation with the knowledge among cancer. After STP they had gained
drivers (r =1.30) and no correlation among knowledge especially in the areas of causes,
drivers attitude (r =0.45). sign and symptoms, risk factors, treatment
and prevention of oral cancer, and also they
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Vol.4; Issue: 9; September 2014
have gained favourable attitude after the
STP. REFERENCES
The paired „t‟ test which was 1. Brunner and Suddharth‟s Text book
computed between pre test and post test of medical surgical nursing,11th
knowledge and attitude scores indicates a edition;Volume 1; Newdelhi,
true gain in the knowledge and attitude wolterkluwer, PP 1001
regarding prevention of oral cancer among 2. Oral cancer alert september16, 2012,
drivers. by Camelia Nathaniel.
Hence it was concluded that STP 3. www.ceylontoday.1k/59-12843-
was an effective method to improve the news-detail-oral-cancer-alert.html.
knowledge and attitude regarding prevention
of oral cancer among drivers.

How to cite this article: Shyamala S. A study to assess the effectiveness of structured
teaching programme on knowledge and attitude regarding prevention of oral cancer among
drivers in Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan group of institution at Perambalur. Int J Health Sci Res.
2014;4(9):206-211.

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